I am on a ride at Caballadas and momentarily stunned. I find myself on rocky ground tangled in sparse grass, sprawled out between the stones, under thorny scrub trees. But let’s back up. Experienced trail riders know that if you have to go under a thicket of low trees, you should keep your head lower than your horse’s. When I saw the inevitable coming, I tried to flatten to my mount’s neck, but my riding helmet prevented me from doing so. This created a gap at the neck of my jacket, which was immediately speared by a branch. I figured the best bet was to release the stirrups and roll off. “Are you O.K.?” Santiago cries as he races towards me on his young polo- pony-in-training. He looks concerned, while I manage an embarrassed smile and answer “Yes.” After a short appraisal, [...]

At a viewpoint looking out to El Yunque we just sat on our horses appreciating the view of the green mountain covered in tropical jungle. Were those the famed indigenous Puerto Rico parrots flying up out of the canopy?